Running & Randomness: Weekend Adventures

I got off to an early start again on Saturday for just about 11 miles skating (10.75). It was definitely not quite as hot, but still nice to get out early. There are less people on the trails, which means it's easier to skate freely - not worry as much about who might be up around the next corner to have to clear, or potential dog walkers with long leashes, or young kids mingling in the middle of trails. Early is good!

I felt so much stronger this week, but still not ready to push it the full extent of my 6 mile out/6 mile back stretch - at least I think it's a 6 mile stretch. I will try to be ready to find out and try that next week. And then we'll start working on picking up the pace.

The kids wanted to go for a ride around the neighborhood with me afterward, but they had quite the to-do list to accomplish first. So by the time they got in the trailer, it was almost lunch/nap time and they were not interested in a very long loop. We got fun crackers though (they always get a special snack in the bike trailer/stroller).

After nap, I really really was overdue for cleaning up their rooms - they help with the toys and clothes, and then I tackle the vacuuming, and washing blankets and things like that. Jason was busy so I had to get our current babysitter, the laptop, out for a couple of videos to keep them occupied for a little longer.

Ultimately we did another "campout" in the basement! We watched Frozen on DisneyPlus, stayed up a little late, and then we all slept on the floor downstairs. Eleanor did go up to her bed after the movie, because she just sleeps so fantastic that way.

Sunday, after church, we had another adventure planned. Jason really wanted to go see this Prince statue down in Henderson, MN. He said it was in a garden area, so we could probably explore there too - which made it sound good enough to me! So after church we fueled up with extra cheerios and packed up the car.

And we drove over an hour to see this...

Also, it was not really in a garden...

So we went off to plan B: a little nature center not even 5 miles away.

We took a long walk through a really cool trail. It wove us back through some soybean and corn fields, to a big pond that was really pretty because it was in the middle of nowhere & usually our walks involve houses at some point.